DPRK jets 'fly close to ROK air'

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has sent jet fighters to test the South's air defenses and threatened to reduce the Republic of Korea (ROK) to ashes as it tries to push the new government in Seoul to back off from its hard line with Pyongyang.

Yesterday, the ROK's biggest daily newspaper said the DPRK's jets had flown sorties close to the ROK airspace at least 10 times since Lee Myung-bak became president on Feb 25. At the weekend the North said it was ready to attack.

Lee's government has criticized Pyongyang on human rights and nuclear issues.